Nick let out a contented sigh as he held a cup of coffee between his paws while he watched snow gently fall outside the small house on the outskirts of Bunny Burrows. The fox officer was used to the climate controlled areas of the sprawling metropolis in Zootopia and he often forget the simple joy of changing seasons. In the other room, Nick could hear his partner humming to himself and the aroma of fresh scones wafting through the home they sometimes shared.
"Mmmmmm, oh Gid those smell wonderful!" Nick called from his cozy spot on the couch covered in blankets. Normally, he prefered to hang around the house in his boxers but on cold days like this, the slender fox was glad he kept a few old tee shirts and pajama bottoms at the baker's house. The nappy head of the chubbier fox poked out of the kitchen with a smile.
"Few more minutes on the scones babe! Need any more coffee?" The baker fox asked with a warm smile. He wore his own pajama set with an old pink "Gideon Grey's Really Good Baked Goods," apron. Gideon loved having someone to spoil with his cooking and was happy to have his boyfriend home for the holidays. This would be the pair's first Christmas together and they had big plans to do absolutely nothing but cuddle and watch the snow.
Gideon went back to the kitchen to finish cleaning. Since opening his bakeries the business owner rarely had any took time off. The past few years his holidays were spent either alone or volunteering; anything to keep the fox from feeling lonely. Gideon's family had long moved away and cut ties due to his "lifestyle choices." The fox tried to shake the bad memories from his mind, "No sense on dwelling on the past and the things you can't change." Gideon thought to himself. With a ding, the scones were ready to cool.
After a light breakfast and a few more cups of coffee, the fox pair wrapped themselves in blankets and were cuddling on the couch. Nick sitting upright reading articles off his smartphone, while Gideon rested his head on his lap reading a book. The larger fox had taken to reading biographies during his free time. A gentle knock on the door caused them to look up from their distractions.
"Expecting company Gid?" Nick asked, with a tilt of his head. "Hope they don't mind pajamas because I refuse to put on real pants."
"Ah don't think anyone was coming over… Ah was all ready for lazy cuddle day." With a grunt of protest, the baker moved himself from the couch and went to open the door. Another few knocks, a loud whine could be heard from the other side.
"Cheese and crackers you two! It's COLD! Let me in!" Judy Hopps did not sound happy to be outside in the elements. The rabbit officer tended to visit her friends whenever she could get away from her family or needed an excuse to get away. She even had a few spare clothes and personal effects around the house.
Chuckling to himself Gideon unbolted the lock and opened the door. "Well that'll learn ya not to come over without texting us first! Come in, we still have some coffee if ya need some. Even have some leftover scones. If ya can convince Nick to let you have 'em!" Gideon motioned for the cold rabbit to come inside. With some grumbling, the officer marched into the kitchen, dragging a few oversized shopping bags and removed her heavy coat while she made a straight shot to the coffee maker. The rabbit poured herself a cup in her personal mug, a white ceramic item with "World's Best Wife" in bold type. The mug had been a gag gift from Nick a year ago.
Judy grimaced as she took a drink of the coffee. "Gid! Why didn't you tell me it was paint thinner not coffee!?"
Nick had moved the couch and leaned in the doorway of the kitchen. "Fluff, you just don't know good coffee. What brings you out to our humble den on Christmas Eve?"
"I needed to get away from the family for a few hours. There is only so many times you can be asked why you're still single from relatives," Judy took another swig of the hot beverage. "Also Mom and Dad wanted me to invite you over for Christmas Day." The foxes shot each other a worried look. A look that didn't go unnoticed by the officer.
"Umm, Carrots, not to be rude or anything but I don't think a pair of gay foxes would be welcomed with a few hundred traditionally-minded rabbits," Nick held up a paw in defence. Judy shot her partner a glare. "No offence but I don't think we are even on the Christmas card list."
"Oh please Nick! My family loves you both and you know it! I actually have some early presents from them." Placing her mug back on the counter, the rabbit began to rifle through one of the bags. Judy produced two roughly wrapped gifts then handed one to each of the foxes. "It's kind of a tradition that my Mom does once a family member finds a mate, go on open em!"
With a nervous look, the pair of foxes open their gifts to reveal matching sweaters with their names stitched to the middle of the garment. They both would win an ugly christmas sweater party on its own. Bright green and red zig-zag patterns covered the sleeves and tassel balls hung from the collar of the sweaters. Gideon felt himself warm a bit with joy. He had not received a present in years, much less a home-made item. The baker turned to face his partner, only to find the slender fox had already pulled his sweater over his head and was marveling at himself.
"Ah it's just as itchy as it looks!" Nick said with a little too much excitement. "Well go on Gid, try yours on!" The fox officer was so excited he couldn't control the wagging of his tail. With a sigh, the larger fox pulled the hand-knitted sweater over his head. He felt silly, itchy, and warm. But there was something else that he couldn't put his paw on. Judy had taken a seat on the fox sized countertop and watch her friends be the adorable dorks they were. The rabbit smiled, pulling out her phone and took a few quick photos to tease her partner with later.
"Nick yer tail is wagging like crazy! Why are you so excited?" Gideon chuckled at his partner. Normally the officer tried to seem disinterested and aloof, but deep down he could act like an excited kit. The last time Gideon saw Nick this excited, the baker had surprised him at work after a month of working out of town.
The officer took a moment to try and compose himself but he couldn't stop his tail. With a shrug, he wrapped his paws around the pudgy baker and pulled him into a hug. "Oh Giddy, it's been ages since I got excited about Christmas. My Grandmother made me a sweater before she passed and I wore it every Christmas until I- Well until I got too big… But this sweater feels just like I remember.'" Gideon nuzzled his boyfriend's neck.
"Ah am gonna have to ask ye Maw for photos of happy Christmas Kit Nick…" Gideon teased rubbing his partner's head.
"You will not ask that woman for anything-" Nick began.
"Oh I already got them! I was going to save the kit photographs for blackmail butttt…" Judy waved her phone at her friend. The baker leaned on the counter next to where the rabbit was seated, and looked at her screen. A few second later, Gideon and Judy were making identical cooing baby noises.
"I regret letting you meet my Mother, Judy Hopps…" Nick said with mock irritation.
"Ah don't be like that babe, ye were a cute kit! And yer Maw is an amazing vixin." Gideon said with a smile. Though they had only met a few times, the female fox had taken a liking to the Gideon and they kept in contact.
"So what do you boys think? Wanna come to my home tomorrow and thank my Mother in person for your gifts?" Judy said with a smile.
"What do you think Gid? Cuddle all day or spend the day with an adoptive family full of rabbits?" Nick asks with a shrug.
"Aw hell, why not go see how the Hopps spend Christmas? Whats da worst that could happen?" Gideon laughed to himself.
